DHAKA, Nov 10, 2018 (BSS) – The Election Commission is contemplating to deploy the army in those centres of the forthcoming parliamentary election where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used, said EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed.
“We are thinking of deployment of the army in those centres where EVMs will be used. But decision has not yet been taken,” he told journalists at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon here.
Helal said: “We will request the armed forces. If they agree, we will deploy them in those centres. Prior to deployment, the army will be imparted training in this regard.”
He said a fair on EVMs at the national level will be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on November 12.
The EC has invited the political parties to join the fair, he said adding that if any political party wants to examine the EVMs by their technical team, they can do it.
Replying to a question about Awami League General Secretary’s demand for extending time for submission of electoral information over alliances, Ahmed said in accordance with Representation of the People Order, all political parties will have to submit information about alliances by November 11.
If information of alliances is not submitted, one party will have to participate in the election with its own symbol, he added.
“We did not get any application to extend time. If the commission wants to extend the time, it can do that,” he added.
The EC secretary said returning officers will be provided training from Tuesday while three days later the commission will impart training to assistant returning officers.
About the BNP’s demand for deferring the election date, Helal said the EC has no plan to defer the schedule.
The EC secretary said if all parties want to defer the schedule, the EC will consider it.